The Vice and Narcotics Section
is staffed of a group of specialized detectives whose primary mission is to monitor
activity in the areas of illegal drugs, illegal gambling, and
prostitution. When such activity is confirmed they will initiate law enforcement action against those engaging
in this behavior.
Drug abuse has an adverse impact on the entire community. Many of
our robberies, thefts, and burglaries are perpetrated by individuals who
have a substance abuse problem. Because of their dependency,
substance abusers encounter difficulty holding jobs and they must find
other means to support their habits. Even if the abuser has a job,
the cost of maintaining an expensive drug habit will quickly deplete their
personal assets and they eventually begin to steal to support their habit.
Often these people will start by victimizing their own family, by stealing
or pawning family-owned items or borrowing money from parents or other
relatives. Once they've alienated their friends and family, the
abuser will then seek out alternative sources of funding, usually in the
form of theft. Your $300.00 portable television may only net a
$20.00 profit for the burglar, but that's twenty-dollars that can be used
for his next "fix". He
may have to burglarize several homes or businesses per day to acquire
enough merchandise to support his habit. The cost of his daily-habit will continue to escalate, requiring him to steal more to sustain himself.
Many homicides, shootings, and domestic violence incidents are linked to
substance
abuse. Mind-altering substances can strip the user of the ability
to think logically, resulting in irrational behavior. Add to this, a readily available
weapon and the situation can become
deadly. A very high percentage of all violent crime has some element of
an alcohol and/or drug connection.
As in other cities throughout the world, Fort Wayne's illegal-drug
market flourishes under-the-radar of most law enforcement efforts.
A determined-individual can locate just about any type of illegal
substance he/she may desire. Those who network in illegal
substances come from all walks of life. No age group or
profession is immune. Most "dealers" go about their
business as quietly as
possible; however, some are more open and available to the general
public. In some areas of the city, dealers hawk their drugs on
street corners or from temporarily borrowed houses, apartments, or motel
rooms. Cell phones and pagers allow dealers to quickly open and
close-up shop before the police can zero-in on their whereabouts.
Narcotics detectives routinely investigate incidents where abusers attempt to
illegally acquire prescription drugs through
false/forged prescriptions. We have also been required to
investigate physicians who improperly prescribe controlled substances.
The department employs a full-time Drug House
Coordinator to assist in the identification and condemnation of drug
houses that open throughout the city. Landlords who are concerned
about any tenant can contact the coordinator for assistance at 427-1262.
Although the illegal drug-world demands the majority of our attention,
undercover officers also investigate complaints of prostitution, illegal
gambling and dog fighting. Complaints of this nature can be brought to our
attention by contacting 427-1203.
Investigators will attempt to examine every complaint. Rumor or unsubstantiated
hearsay is difficult to follow-up on. Often, it may take weeks or
months of surveillance to acquire enough information to safely deploy an
undercover officer into the mix.
It may then take an additional amount of time for the undercover officer
to work his/her way into a position that will yield sufficient probable
cause for an arrest.
The successful and safe neighborhood is one that pays attention to who's
coming and going, day and night. You, better than anyone, know
what's normal for your neighborhood. Watch over your neighbor's
property and do not hesitate to report any suspicious behavior. We
need your eyes and ears to help keep these people from settling into
your neighborhood. Call our Drug Tip Hotline or Crime Stoppers
with your information.
For additional educational material about illegal drugs and substance
abuse please check out the following website:
PARTNERSHIP
FOR A DRUG FREE AMERICA
DRUG TIP HOTLINE
260
- 427-1262
